Underthedesknews – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Underthedesknews

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

YouTube2020

84%

WISE Score

245K

Subscribers

News delivered from the floor with zero panic and a lot of empathy—think of it as the anti-doomscroll for the politically curious.

Underthedesknews

YouTube

2020

84%

WISE Score

245K

Subscribers

News delivered from the floor with zero panic and a lot of empathy—think of it as the anti-doomscroll for the politically curious.

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245.0K

Screenwise Verdict

If your teen is starting to get their news from TikTok or YouTube, Underthedesknews is the best possible 'landing pad' for them. Vitus Spehar has mastered the art of being the 'cool older sibling' who explains the world without making you want to crawl into a hole.

It’s less about the headlines themselves and more about the mental framework for processing them. In a world of 'alpha' influencers and rage-bait, this is a rare corner of the internet that treats the audience's emotional well-being as part of the story. It’s smart, it’s grounded, and it’s one of the few news sources that actually builds literacy rather than just piling on more noise.

Age Fit

Best for 13 and up. While the content is physically safe for younger kids, the political and cultural subject matter is designed for teens and adults who are already navigating social media news cycles.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Vitus Spehar's entire brand is built on empathy-first reporting. By literally sitting on the floor, they remove the 'authority' barrier of traditional news, making heavy topics feel like a conversation with a smart friend rather than a lecture.

Imaginative

The 'under the desk' format is a clever, grounding creative choice that subverts the typical high-stress news aesthetic. It's a simple but effective use of digital space to create a 'safe' environment.

Safe

Content-wise, it's very safe—no gore or shock-value clips. However, it is hosted on YouTube, so the algorithm's 'Up Next' and the comment section remain the primary wildcards.

Enriching

This is a masterclass in media literacy. Spehar doesn't just tell you the news; they explain how disinformation works, how to read a headline, and why certain stories are trending.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Empathy-first reporting that prioritizes emotional safety and context over clickbait or fear-mongering.
Media literacy focus helps viewers understand how news is made and how to spot disinformation in their own feeds.
Grounding format uses the 'under the desk' gimmick to physically lower the tension of high-stakes political news.
Human-centered approach to complex topics like community activism and digital literacy.

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What to Watch For

The channel covers real-world news, which includes heavy topics like war, legislation affecting human rights, and political conflict.
Spehar has a clear progressive viewpoint; while they are a journalist, this isn't 'both-sides' corporate news. It's opinionated and advocacy-adjacent.
As a YouTube-based platform, the comments can occasionally get heated, though the community is generally more constructive than your average news thread.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Vitus sits under a desk to tell the news? How does it change how you feel while watching?"
"Vitus talked about how to spot a fake headline today. Have you seen any 'news' on your feed that felt like it was trying to make you angry on purpose?"
"What's the difference between how this channel reports a story versus what you see on the local news or a major network?"
"When the news feels overwhelming, what are some ways we can stay informed without feeling anxious?"